Polk County is gearing up for a number of runs this fall and winter season! From 5K’s and half marathons to mud, obstacles and color, you can find it all in Central Florida’s Polk County this year. Whether you are a runner or just considering participating in your first race, take a look these upcoming races below.
Aching Quad
What: Aching Quad is a race that boasts four runs in 24 hours! It all begins with a 5K around Lake Hollingsworth on Friday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m. The second run, a one-mile run, follows on Saturday, September 14 at 7:00 a.m. around Lake Morton. The four-part race continues with a two-mile run around Lake Hunter at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, September 14 beginning and ending at Drane Park and finishes with a fourth run, the same 5K run as the first race held on Friday night, at 7:00 p.m. on Lake Hollingsworth.
When: Friday, September 13, 2013 – Saturday, September 14, 2013
Where: Lake Hollingsworth,
Lake Morton and Lake Hunter in Lakeland
Registration: The fee for all four races is $40, if received by September 2. The late fee is $50. Individual races are $12 each until September 2, and $15 after. Only those who finish all four races will be eligible for awards. T-shirts are guaranteed to all preregistered participants who enter at least two of the four races.
Checks should be made payable to the Lakeland Runners Club and mailed to Aching Quad, P.O. Box 1484, Lakeland, FL 33802. Online registration is available on active.com.
Awards: Trophies will be presented to the overall male and female, overall masters (age 40 and over) male and female, and the top three finishers in male and female divisions beginning with 13 and under, 14-19, and 5-year age groups up to 70 and over.
Backwoods Challenge
What: Backwoods Challenge is a 5K mud obstacle course designed to push your body and mind to their limits. With over 30 obstacles in four miles, you will have to overcome nature as well as walls, tunnels, balance beams, barbed wire, hills, water slides and much more. This extreme mud obstacle course is designed for ages 18 and up and will benefit the Special Olympics of Florida.
In addition to the course, there will also be: a free kids course, food trucks, volleyball and cornhole, plus a survivor medal and free beer (21+) for finishers. 
When: Saturday, September 14, 2013
Where: Polk City
Registration: August 1- September 12- Competitive Heat: $100, Fun Runs: $70, Team Fun Runs: $65 (teams of four+)
Race Day- Competitive Heat: $110, Fun Runs: $80, Team Fun Runs: $75 (teams of four+)
For 10% off, use promo code: BWC15.
Register at active.com.
Awards: All participants in all waves will receive a tshirt and medal.
Top place finishers in the Competitive Heat wave will receive cash prizes: first place $500, second place $250, third place $100.
Tough Mudder
What: Tackle the hardcore Tough Mudder race this fall at Westgate River Ranch! Tough Mudder is a 10-12 mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, 700,000 inspiring participants worldwide to date, and more than $5 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world. This obstacle run is more than an event. It’s a way of thinking!
The fun doesn’t stop when you finish the Tough Mudder obstacle course. Tough Mudder throws a killer post party consisting of live music, contests, awards, and, of course, the carnival of tough.
When: Saturday, November 2, 2013 – Sunday, November 3, 2013
Where: Westgate River Ranch, a classic western-style ranch with endless challenging terrain, fields of palmettos and expansive swampland, in River Ranch, Florida.
Registration:
| Pricing Type | Effective Dates | Saturday | Sunday |
| Mudder Entry | July 19 – Aug. 15 | $125 | $115 |
| Standard Entry | Aug. 16 - Sep. 5 | $135 | $125 |
| Late Entry | Sep. 6 - Sep. 26 | $145 | $135 |
| Final Entry | Sep. 27 - Oct. 27 | $180 | $170 |
| Registration Closed | After Oct. 27, 2013 |
Register at toughmudder.com.
Red Ribbon Half Marathon and Run
What: Polk County’s first half marathon is coming! The 2013 Red Ribbon Half Marathon & Run is the largest youth-oriented running event in Polk County. This year’s event is at the Lake Mirror Complex in Downtown Lakeland and will include Lakeland’s first ever Half Marathon, the Open Division 1K, the 3rd-5th Grade 1K, and the K-2nd Grade 1/2K. Run through beautiful downtown Lakeland, around her sparkling lakes and up and down her rolling hills.
When: Saturday, November 9, 2013
Where: Lake Mirror Complex, Lakeland
Registration: Registration is free for the Red Ribbon Run K-8th grade students, and participating pre-registered students will receive a free run shirt.
Red Ribbon Half Marathon: $65
Register at redribbonhalf.com.
Awards: Trophies and prizes will be awarded, including the two schools with the greatest percentage of participation.
37th Annual Lake to Lake 10K
What: “The Oldest Race in Polk County” will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2013 in Downtown Lakeland. Allocated net proceeds will be donated to South Lakeland YMCA in memory of Denis L. Fontaine. The Lake to Lake 10K will travel around Lake Mirror, Lake Morton and Lake Hollingsworth.
When: Saturday, November 16, 2013
Where: Lake Mirror, Lake Morton, Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland
Registration:
- Early Registration Through October 16, 2013 is $20.00
- October 17, 2013 – November 15, 2013 is $25.00
- Race Day registration costs $30.00
Register online at active.com.
Awards: Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female, Grand Masters [60+] Male/Female, 3 Places Deep in 5-Year Age Groups – [Male 14 & Under Thru 75+] [Female 14 and Under Thru 65+]
In addition, all runners 50 years old and above are eligible to compete for separate Florida State Senior Games 10K Road Race Awards
FIRETOWER RUN-A-MUCK 5k Run and Mud Run
What: Florida FFA invites you to join us at the first annual Firetower Run-A-Muck scheduled for Saturday, November 23, 2013 at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center near Haines City. This timed 5K walk/run encompasses portions of scenic Firetower Road and through the LTC property along the shores of Lake Pierce. Challenging obstacles and a lot of mud, hay bales and water make the afternoon mud run a personal challenge.
The 5k Walk/Run will start at 9:00 a.m. and will be followed by an optional spaghetti lunch available at 11:00 a.m. The afternoon event, a 3-mile mud run obstacle course, will begin at 2:00 p.m. All registered participants will receive a free Firetower Run-A-Muck T-shirt. The public is invited to register as individuals or five-member teams. All proceeds benefit the Florida FFA Foundation and over 16,000 FFA members across the state.
When: Saturday, November 23, 2013
Where: Florida FFA Leadership Training Center, Haines City
Registration:
- Firetower 5K Run Walk 9am- Today: $30, Later: $35
- Both Firetower 5K Run and Walk- Today: $90, Later: $100
- Firetower Mud Run- Today: $75, Later: $80
Register online at active.com.
LAKELAND 5K COLOR VIBE
What: Get ready for the most colorful fun-filled day at the Lakeland 5K Color Vibe! You’ll have more color on you than your happy levels can handle! Get your friends and family stretched out for this amazing color blast event where you’ll get blasted with color while you run the Color Vibe 5K. Color Vibe is here, and you’re about to get tagged!
When: Saturday, December 7, 2013
Where: Sun ‘N Fun, Lakeland
Registration:
$40.00 – $50.00 per person and include the following:
- Entry into the 5K Color Vibe Run
- Official Color Vibe t-shirt
- Color Vibe color pack*
- Color Vibe Prize
Regular registration $43 Deadline: 9/30/13
Late registration $46 Deadline: 12/6/13
Day of registration $50 Deadline: 12/7/13
Register at colorvibe.webconnex.com.
WARRIOR DASH – FLORIDA 2014
What: Warrior Dash is part of a fierce running series held on the most challenging and rugged terrain across the globe. Warriors come to conquer extreme obstacles, push their bodies to the limit and celebrate their accomplishment with music and warrior helmets. With 12 seriously challenging obstacles ranging from mud-pits and climbing walls to tight-rope walks and fire pits, finishing competitors will deserve the title “Warrior”!
When: Saturday, February 1, 2014
Where: Triple Canopy Ranch, Lake Wales
Registration:
Registration is currently open for the event and pricing is as follows:
- $45 until 11:59pm on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013
- $50 until 11:59pm on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013
- $55 until 11:59pm on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013
- $60 until 11:59pm on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013
- $65 until 11:59pm on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014
- $80 until 11:59pm on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014
* Central Time
Register at registrationation.com.
Be sure to register early for any of these races to ensure your spot and to enter at the best rates! For more information on any of the runs listed above, please visit Polk County Sports Marketing online at CentralFloridaSports.com.
Photo Credit : Lakeland Runners Club, Backwoods Challenge, Tough Mudder, Red Ribbon Half Marathon & Run, Florida FFA Foundation, Color Vibe 5K and Warrior Dash.
